Genki Sushi reaches $4.5 million settlement over hepatitis A outbreak

By Kristen Consillio kconsillio@staradvertiser.com

Posted October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

Updated December 4, 2018 8:53am

Genki Sushi, the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in 2016, has reached a preliminary settlement of up to $4.5 million for people who were exposed to the virus linked to tainted scallops sold at Hawaii restaurants.

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Employees cleaned the Genki Sushi store, in Aug. 2016, in Aiea after the state Health Department announced that scallops served at the restaurant chain were determined to be the probable cause of a hepatitis A outbreak. Genki Sushi, the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in 2016, has reached a preliminary settlement of up to $4.5 million for people who were exposed to the virus linked to tainted scallops sold at Hawaii restaurants.

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Genki Sushi, the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in 2016, has reached a preliminary settlement of up to $4.5 million for people who were exposed to the virus linked to tainted scallops sold at Hawaii restaurants.

Those who were exposed to the highly contagious virus that causes liver infection, but did not become sick are entitled to receive up to $350, $250 or $150, according to a news release issued by Marler Clark, a Seattle-based law firm specializing in litigation involving foodborne illnesses.

In August 2016, the state Department of Health identified raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants as the likely source of a hepatitis A outbreak from June 12, 2016 through Oct. 9, 2016. The company operated 13 restaurants at the time on Oahu, Kauai and Maui. The Sea Port Bay Scallops from the Philippines were distributed by Koha Oriental Foods.

Under the settlement, class members eligible to receive up to $350 are people who came in contact with one of the 292 infected with hepatitis A identified by the DOH as part of the outbreak. They include household members, sexual contacts, and those sharing illicit drugs, food or utensils with an infected person.

Patrons who consumed food between Aug. 1 and Aug. 16 at a Genki Sushi restaurant on Oahu, Kauai or Maui in 2016 can claim up to $250. And those who consumed food or drink from a secondary establishment where an infected employee worked during certain timeframes may get up to $150.

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